Astronomy enthusiasts who want to catch a glimpse of the cosmic display have only a short window if they hope to be awestruck.
The Quadrantids meteor shower is scheduled to reach its peak after midnight on Thursday. According to To NASA.
It is the first meteor shower of 2024 and is considered one of the best annual meteor showers. Astronomy enthusiasts who want to catch a glimpse of the cosmic display only have a short window. While most meteor showers peak for two days, the Quadrantids' peak lasts only hours. Between sixty and 200 meteors per hour can be seen under ideal conditions during the peak.
When and where can you see the Quadrantids meteor shower?
the QuatrainsWhich can be seen across the night sky, it is best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during the night and pre-dawn hours, according to NASA.
NASA recommends viewing meteor showers in areas far from city and street lights. Astronomy lovers should lie on their backs with their feet facing south and looking up. It takes about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness so you can see meteors.
Be prepared with a blanket or sleeping bag to combat the cold temperatures.
What makes quatrains special?
According to NASA, meteor showers are known to produce bright fireballs. The space agency says fireballs are larger explosions of light, brighter colors and can last longer than the average meteor streak.
The quads will stream across the sky at a speed of about 25 miles per second.
Most meteor showers originate from comets, but quads come from comets Asteroid 2003 EH1. It is a small asteroid that was discovered on March 6, 2003.
The tetrads radiate from Quadrans Muralis, an obsolete constellation, according to NASA. Quadrans Muralis is no longer a recognized constellation, but it has been considered one long enough to give the annual meteor its name. The constellation is not the actual source of the meteors; The name helps viewers know which shower they are seeing.
What is a meteor shower?
While meteors — space rocks that enter Earth's atmosphere — streak across the sky every night, there are several meteor showers each year, according to NASA. Many meteorites strike the Earth's atmosphere in a short period during meteor showers. The streaks of light are caused by hot, glowing air as meteoroids speed through Earth's atmosphere.
Most meteorites burn up when they fall, but some survive the journey and reach Earth. These are considered meteorites.
The Quadrantids are active until January 16, 2024. The next Lyrid meteor shower will not occur until April.
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